Thomas Orchard: Police custody death trial halted

The trial of three police staff accused of killing a man in custody has been halted for legal reasons.

Thomas Orchard, 32, had schizophrenia and died in October 2012 after being arrested in Exeter. Custody sergeant Jan Kingshott, 44, and civilian detention officers Simon Tansley, 38, and Michael Marsden, 55 were on trial for manslaughter.

Mr Orchard suffered a heart attack at Heavitree Road Police Station and died later in hospital.

The judge, Mr Justice King, told the jury of seven men and four women: “I have decided this trial cannot continue. I appreciate this may be a disappointment to you given the number of weeks you have sat. Given there may be a re-trial we cannot say anymore.”